Talking-machines



J. T. SIBLEY.

COMBINED TONE ARM AND .STOP DEVICE FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED mus. 1912.

1,313,342; Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5. INVENTOR. WITNES' ES: V

0&0 /Z( JMWJTTO NEm JAMES r. SIBLEY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

COMBINED TONE-ARM AND STOP DEVICE FOR TALkING-MAG HIN'ES.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, James T. Sinner, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of Newark, county of Essex, and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CombinedTone-Arms and Stop Devices for T alking- Machines, of which thefollowing is-a specification.

The tone arm which forms the subject' matter of my invention containsseveral novel features, as for example,'a self-contained adapter wherebythe sound box mounted upon the free end of the tone arm may be made tooccupy several positions corresponding with the requisites necessary toplay the three general classes of records with the same sound box. 7

Phonograph records are classified by the manufacturers into two generaltypes. The

first type is known as the zig zag record,

wherein, the record groove has a laterally undulating spiral groove ofuniform depth. The second type is known as the hill and dale type ofrecord, wherein, the record groove is a. spiral of nonuniform depth. Thetermhill and dale aptly describes this type of record. The second befurther subdivided into two subtypes of records according to thecharacter of the cutting stylus which forms the groove. The well-knownEdison record belongs to the first subtype, wherein the groove is formedby means of a button or gouge stylus; it is substantially circular incross section. The second subtype includes the well-known Path record inwhich the record groove is outwith a pointed stylus to a-varying depth,but without lateral undulation.

In reproducing records of the first type the best results are obtainedby mounting the sound box with its diaphragm in a lane perpendicular tothe plane of the recor and with the stylus bearing upon the record at aninclination of from 30, to 40, degrees from the perpendicular. With theEdison record the diaphragu'i of the sound-box in a plane parallel tothe record and with the stylus slightly out of'pcrpendicular to theplane of the record. With the Path type, the best results are obtainedby arranging the diaphragm in position, so that its plane will cut theplane of the record at an angle of from 50 to degrees, with probably thebest results obtained at 5c degrees. ,Nmner the best results areobtained by arranging y may Specification of Letters Patent. ,PatelitedAug, 19,1919.

Application filed July 9, 1917 Serial No. 179,365.

ous attempts have been made to make a single adapting device whereby,records of the grmnaphone or laterally undulating type, and also the socalled Path records could be played by shifting the position of thesound-box upon the end of the tone arm. Againmeans have been providedfor adapting the sound-box to play both records of the lateralundulating type, and also of the so called Edison type, by shifting thesound-.

box from aplane perpendicular to-the face of the record to the planeparallel to the face of the record. I am not aware however, thatthecombination in the same means, has ever prov ided for playing allthree of the aforesaid types' of-records, and, it is the object of myinvention to provide such means in a single unitary tone arm.

A further object of my invention is to provide means in connection withthe tone].

--arm whereby whenever the tone arm and sound-box are in playingposition the motor will be set"in operation and when the tone arm isswung to the side of the record and released, with the sound-box 'freefrom the record, then the motive power will be completely out off.

I have also provided a novel ball bearing for the tonearm whereby, thesame is rendered very much more free in its movement and consequentlycreates far less drag upon the motion.

In carrying out myinvention I make use .of the structures described inthe following spedification and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein,

Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improved tone arm and stop device.

Fig. 2,- is a plan view of the same.

--Fig. is a fractional side elevation of the free end of the'tone armillustrating the position of the parts assumed whenplaying a Pathrecord.

Fig. 4, is a side elevation partly in section showing the means forlocking the parts of the adapter in place.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged vertical section of the tonearm bearing, alsoshowing the circui't breaker connections.

- F ig. this a section of the sound-box relieving mechanism forrelieying a portion of the weight of the sound-box upon the record.

Similar reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thespecification and drawings.

- The elbow member 3, is cumferential slot 23, having the other e Thetone arm consists of the L-shaped tapered member 1, and its pivotedsound-box extension to which the tubular adapter member 3, is secured,from which latter the sound-box elbow 4, also extends. The supportingmember 5, is provided with the flat flange 6, by which the same issecured to the motor board 7, by the several screws 8. This supportingmember is provided with the upwardly extending thimble 9, having itsupper margin ehamfered or beveled as at It is also pr'ovided with theannular upwardly extending flange 11, to which the overhangin angular,ball bearing ring 12, is adjustabI secured by means of the set screws13. The lower end of the tone arm member 1, has an outwardly flaringinclined flange 14, at itslower margin, and said flange 14, togetherwith the flange 11, and the ring 12, form a raceway for the lower set ofballs The interior of the lower end of the 1, is enlarged so that ittubular thimble 9. It is also provided with the shoulder 16, which inconjunction with the beveled part, 10, of the thimble. 9, forms arace-way for the tone arm member may slip over the cllicientball-bearing for LNG tone arm member 1, upon the-supporting member 5.

The outer end of the tone ;arm member 1,

is providedwith a pair of forwardly extending lugs 18, between which theball 19, is supported, by means of the t-runnions 20, thepurpose beingto form a species of ball and socket joint between the members 1 and 2,of the tone arm.

The member 2, of the tone arm extends forwardly and downwardly as shown,into the free end of which the obtuse-angled elbow member 3, is fittedand permitted to oscillate about the common axis. The soundbox member 4,is a short rectangular elbow section fitted into the free end of thememher 3. against the shoulder 22, and about which it may oscillate to alimited extent.

rovided with a cirthe enlarged circular ends 24. This slot extendsaround the end of the ni'ember 3, about 90 degrees. In this slot islocated a headed spring pressed bolt 25. The inner head 21, of this boltis tapered to fit snugly the enlargements 24, at the ends of the slot23. The outer end of the bolt extends somewhat beyond the. mem her 3,and is provided with the detachable head 25' between which and thesideof the member 3, is located the spring 26. the structure being suchthat when the tapered head is inserted into one of the enlargements 24,of the slot. the 'member 3, is locked in place in the. end of the member2: but upon iressing the bolt inward the parts are unloc ed and themember 3. may be. turned to a osition for the head to engage nlargement. The, sound-box el- Figs. 1, and 2, and the position shown inFig. 3. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the axes of the two membeis 2,and 3, lie in the same vertical plane. In the position shown in Fig. 3,the member 3, is turned through an angle of 90 degrees with its outerend turned laterally. In the posit-ion indicated in Figs. 1, and 2, theelbow member 4, may be made to occupy two positions, one in which thefree end is turned laterally or horizontally to receive thesound-box.30, with the diaphragmthereof in the vertical plane. In theother position the free end of the member 4, is turned down with thediaphragm of the sound-box 30, parallel to the 'plane of the record thestylus needle is presented in the sub stantial vertical position to therecord or at right angles to the stylus lever so that in this positionEdison records may be played. In the position shown in Figs. 1, and 2,with the sound-box diaphragm in-a vertical plane or the planeperpendicular to the plane of the lecord, the lateral nndulatingtype ofrecord may be played. When the member the elbow member 4, may be turnedup- 31. -In this case wardly at an angle otbetween 30 and 40 degrees tothe plane of the record, in which position the diaphragm of the soundbox will be in a-plane at an angle of between 50 and (30 degrees to theplane ofthe record,

in which position records of the Path type may be played. So that withthe members 2. 3. and 4. coupled together and of the angular form shown.the three several positions requisite to playin the three types ofrecords may be assumed by the sound-box.

In my prior application, Serial No. 175,- 565. filed June 19, 1917. Ihave illustrated and described an electric motor for drivingtluxtnrntable of talking machines,'in which a switch, located in theelectric circuit is diagrammatically shown. The tone arm above.described is admirably adapted for use in connection with the saidelectric motor \ahd the clectric circuit. for operating such motor maybe connected up to this tone arm in such a manner that when said tonearm is in playing position, with the sound-box stylus needle. restingupon the surface of therecord to .be played. the switch will be closed.

\\ 'h en the tone arm is swung to theside of the record and the member2,

V and therebycut off the motive current from v the sound-box is utilizedto open this switch the-m0tor.- This function is accomplished by thefollowing mechanism:

Mounted -upon the ring 12, is an arcshaped piece of insulating material32, arranged concentric to said ring as shown and secured in place bymeans of the screws 33. Upon the outer face of this insulating materialis secured a contact strip 34, extend-- iderable distance, as shown,-

general contour of the under side of said member is a rod 37. This rodis guided in diametrica'l apertures 38, and 39, in the member 1, andalso in an apert red bracket 40, upon the under side of sai member 1.Upon the outer free end of said rod 37,- is located a contact piece 41,in position to engage the contact strip 34, and in order to insure-suchcontact I provide a. collar 42, upon saidrod upon the opposite side ofthe member 1 and surround the rod 37, betweensaid collar 42, and thebody of the member 1, with a) spring This always insures contactybe'weenthe contact piece 41, and

the strip '34. 'The1r0d37, extends as above noted, horizontally throughthe bracket 40,

to a point beneath the trunnion 20. lbs

tendingdownwardly-from the ball '19, is an arm-44, in position to engagethefree end of the rod 37, adjacent thereto. It'will benoted now that:wheneverathe member 2, is raised to carry the arm 44, clear of the endof the rod 37, 'then.-the spring 43, will reciprocate the rod 37, andbringthe contact piece41, into contact with the strip 34, therebyclosing the circuit. When, however, the member 2, is permitted to .swingdownwardly upon the trunnions 20, as for example, when the tone arm isswung free from a record and the sound-box permitted to drop b'y'its ownweight then the arm 44, will swing into contact'with the free end of therod 37, and since the leverage issuflicient, the rod 37, will be pushedendwise, thereby compressing the spring 43, and carrying the contactpiece 41, clear of the contact strip 34. In the playing positionillustrated in Fig. 2, the arm 44, is completely free from the end ofthe rod 37, and only contacts with such rod when the sound-box, togetherwith the members 2, 3, and 4, drop downwardly, 'but this can only occurwhen the sound box is clear of the record.

In'order' that the weight of the sound-box maybe slightly relieved fromthe record, I mount upon the end of the rod 87, a. sleeve 45, saidsleeve being countcrbored as at -16,

to receive the spring 47, which located upon the rod 37, between theshoulder 48, of

said sleeve and. the bracket 40. The opposite end of the sleeve iscounterbored as ate), and the headed screw 50, isscrewedinto the end ofthe rod 37. The spring 47, is insufiicient toovercome the entire weightof the tone arm members 2, 3, and 4,"together with the soun(l'bo. yet itis sufficient to relieve .the record of a portion of such weight. In'theplaying position illustrated in Figs. 1,.and 6, the spring 47, isslightly compressed. If the sound box is lifted free .from the record byswinging the elements 2, 3, and -:l, upwardly upon the trunnion 20,

the arm 43, will be carried clear of thexend .of the sleeve 45,'and thespring 47, will expand to the extent permitted by the head 50.

( )n thev other hand the sleeve 45, being simply mounted uponthe rod37,'does not interfere with said rod when the 'arm 44,

swings suflicient to contact with the head 50, and if the movement ofthe arm 44, 1s sufhcient the circuit will be br okcn bc tween thecontact 41, and strip 34, as a-bm'e-descri bed.

The length of the strip 34, is sufficient to maintain this contactduring the playing of the entire record. I regard this as an importantfeature of my invention, for the reason that no attention to themotor isnecessary; the swinging of the soundJbox and tone arm into)layingposition and lowering of the member 2, with the stylus needleupon the record closes the circuitthrough the motor and starts-the same,while the swinging of the sound-box and tone arm free from the recordand releasihg the sound-box serves to immediately break the circuit ,andstop the motor.

In or'der to regulate the tension of the spring 47, I may provide thelongitudinally 'apcrturcd screw 51, through which the rod 37, may slide,screwing said screwinto the bracket 40, against the end of the spring47.

In this manner, I may adjust the tension of thespring 47, andconsequently the amount in a single structure, not only means foradapting the sound box to the several classes of records now on themarket, and

also an admirable form ofbcariug for the tone arm, but more importantstill, a switch and stop mechanism applicable not only to the motor ofmy prior application, above described, but also to any electric motorused for opcral ing the. talking machine.

Tli the posltlon. shown m 1 lgs. 1, and 2 7 the contact strip 34, is ofsuch length-that further movement of the tone arm will cause the contactall, to leave the strip 3-1, and bear upon the insulation after it hasbeen swung to a considerable distance to the side of the record, so thateven if the member 2, and sound-box 30, are lifted to replace a stylusneedle, the circuit will be broken and the motor consequently notstarted, by

reason of the action of the spring 43, upon the rod 37. This .is as itshould be for the motor should not start until'the sound-box and tonearm are in playing position with the stylus needle upon the record.

claim:

1. In a. tone arm for talking machines, the combination of ahorizontally swinging sound tube having its pivot end outwardly flaredto form a lower ball bearing seat and an internal annular shoulderforming anuppcr ball bearing seat, a supporting mem her having a tubularpart which telescopes into, and forms a ball raceway between its upperend and said shoulder, and a ball re taining 'ring secured to saidsupporting member to form with said ball bearing scat a ball raceway;and separate sets of balls in said raceways respectively. p

2. In a tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horizontallyswinging sound tube and a support therefor, upon which said sound tubetelescopes, a bearing between said tube and support co1npris ing upperand loner ball raceways with balls therein, the upper raceway formed byan annular shoulder upon the interior of said tube and the upper endofsaid su port,

aring a vertical swinging e 4. In a tone arm for talking machines, thecombination of a horlzontzilly swinging sound tube, having a tubularextension pivoted to the free end thereof foryertical I oscillation, anelectric, circuit having a switch therein, means actuated by the upwardoscillation of said extension to close said switch, and by the downwardmovement of. said extension to open said switch.

5. In a tone arm for talking machines, the combination of a horizontallY swinging sound tube having a vertically oscillating tubular extensionat the free end thereof, an electric circuit having a. translatin deviceand a switch therein, means actuatet by the,

upward movement of said extension to close said switch.

6. In a tone arm for talkin machines, the combination of a sound tubeiaving a tubular extension pivoted for verticaloscillation at the freeend thereof, a support for said tube about which it may 'swlngxin ahorizontal plane, a reciprocating rod carried by said tubc ,ineans uponsaid tubular extension lib for moving said rod endwise in one direction,and a spring formoving said ro"d"'en"dwise in the opposite direction, inelectric circuit having a translatin device therein, and means actuatedby the c ownward' movement of said tubular extension 'andtheenfdcircuit.a

7, In a talking machine, the'coinbination of a horizontally swingingtone arm, having xtension thereon, an electric circuit, and meansactuated by the downward swing of said extension to break saldcircuit,and by an upward movement thereof to close said circuit; and to breaksaid circuit in any position of said ,extcnwise movement of said rod tobreak said sion upon a lateral swing of said tone arm" beyond apredetermined point.

JAMES .T.' SIBLEY.

